Felicity Cloake's One-Hour Entertaining Guide: Stress-Free Entertaining for Spontaneous Company
During the busy time, when there's a lot happening which even vivacious people may sometimes look forward to the calm respite of January, it's all too easy to neglect details. I believe I'm not the sole person who has once been startled awake at work because of an inquiry by someone wondering, "What time should we come over tonight?" Fear not; if you're distracted, and just inclined toward last-minute invitations, I have some solutions.
The Golden Rule to Great Parties
First and foremost, though I can't stress this sufficiently, if you've been planning for months versus just a short while, the best events are the easiest. All anyone really wants are engaging talks, a drink to enjoy, and enough nibbles that guests don't feel like chewing their arm during the ride home. If you're not you're Jay Gatsby, nobody expects extensive drinks, Michelin-starred food and musical performances.
The most successful parties are the simplest. However, an idea helps to cover up the fact you've only put this thing together while coming after a long day.
Picking a Theme to Focus The Party Planning
Still, a theme works well to hide that you have just thrown this thing together while returning home from work. And with a theme, think of for example a seasonal celebration. Going slightly more specific (Scandinavian Christmas, say, featuring glögg, warm beverage, smoked fish plus rye crackers, Nordic beats playlist; or fiesta-style party, including traditional drink, refreshing lagers and cocktails, and heaps of corn chips, spicy sauce and green spread, and festive music on the stereo) helps direct the selection on the necessary shopping trip.
Strategic Purchasing to Support Your Event
While shopping, select one or two beverages (one alcoholic for drinkers, one not for others prefer not to) plus some nibbles suited to the theme, then get a generous amount within your budget, instead of fretting about offering guests a wide selection. Nothing looks more abundant and celebratory as plenty – I'd consistently prefer to be welcomed with a container full of cold bottles of affordable sparkling wine over a single glass of swanky champagne. (Add some bags of cubes, as well; there is never sufficient ice.)
Cocktails & Large-Batch Drinks Simplified
If you must demonstrate skills and provide a special beverage, then prepare ahead a large batch in a container so that you aren't left faffing around with it when you should be enjoying yourself. Once the party begins, request a partner or volunteer to monitor the drinks then replenish if required till it runs out. Follow suit with the alcohol-free option; guests appreciate to be given a role during gatherings allowing them to enjoy the positive vibes.
For large-batch drinks, whatever formula you pick (there are many via search), skip any recipe excessively sweet – children there should have separate beverages – and if it's available, place flavor enhancers within reach (refrain from putting them into the punch since they're not suitable for individuals abstaining from drinks altogether). Take care in presenting it so that the soft punch doesn't feel like an afterthought; just spend a moment to add several pieces of fruit into the bowl.
Snacks That Delight With Minimal Preparation
For me, I recommend passing on the store-bought assortments of "party foods" that pop up at grocery stores seasonally; they seem overly complicated, and frequently require heating things up (if you choose to opt for these, be aware that everyone secretly likes herb bread and/or mini sausages regardless). I'm convinced you can't beat two sizable bowls of decent snacks (salted will offend no one), and, assuming no dietary restrictions, one of those large and economical containers of nuts often sold with global foods of supermarkets, and maybe a few olives without stones for color (try not to find stones in odd places months later).
If, as my mother says, you don't consider snacks real food, a single big slab of tasty cheese served simply alongside crackers plus beautifully placed grapes always looks visually appealing. A plate featuring preserved or ready-to-eat prosciutto or seafood arranged there (a single variety, except if money is no object), alternatively a handsome ready-made tart, similar to that appear on deli counters seasonally, is even more substantial, while you truly will succeed by serving rustic chunks of Italian bread, since they don't need buttering.
